Significado
To be dressed very elegantly.
Contexto cultural
The 'trente-et-un' is almost a requirement for 'Le Réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre' (New Year's Eve). Even small house parties often have a dress code. The phrase is equally common in Quebec, though you might also hear 'être sur son beau dimanche' (to be in one's Sunday best). In Paris, 'être sur son trente-et-un' often involves 'le chic discret'—high-quality materials rather than flashy colors. In countries like Ivory Coast, being 'sur son 31' might involve wearing magnificent traditional fabrics like Bazin or Wax, often more colorful than European styles.
The Possessive Rule
Always check your subject! If it's 'nous', it's 'notre trente-et-un'. This is the #1 mistake students make.
Complimenting
Saying 'Tu es sur ton trente-et-un !' is a very high compliment in France. It acknowledges the effort the person made.
Significado
To be dressed very elegantly.
The Possessive Rule
Always check your subject! If it's 'nous', it's 'notre trente-et-un'. This is the #1 mistake students make.
Complimenting
Saying 'Tu es sur ton trente-et-un !' is a very high compliment in France. It acknowledges the effort the person made.
Don't use 'dans'
Even though in English we say 'IN' your best clothes, in French, you are 'ON' (sur) your 31.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct possessive adjective.
Nous allons au mariage, nous sommes sur ______ trente-et-un.
The subject is 'nous', so the possessive must be 'notre'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A) Elle est dans son trente-et-un. B) Elle est sur son trente-et-un. C) Elle est sur son trente.
The idiom uses the preposition 'sur' and the full number 'trente-et-un'.
What would a friend say to someone who is very well dressed?
A: 'Je vais à mon premier rendez-vous !' B: 'Waouh, tu ______ !'
This is the natural compliment for someone dressed up for a date.
In which situation would you NOT use this phrase?
Situations: 1. A gala dinner. 2. Going to the gym. 3. A wedding. 4. New Year's Eve.
You don't dress to the nines for the gym; you wear athletic clothes.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Possessive Agreement
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosNous allons au mariage, nous sommes sur ______ trente-et-un.
The subject is 'nous', so the possessive must be 'notre'.
A) Elle est dans son trente-et-un. B) Elle est sur son trente-et-un. C) Elle est sur son trente.
The idiom uses the preposition 'sur' and the full number 'trente-et-un'.
A: 'Je vais à mon premier rendez-vous !' B: 'Waouh, tu ______ !'
This is the natural compliment for someone dressed up for a date.
Situations: 1. A gala dinner. 2. Going to the gym. 3. A wedding. 4. New Year's Eve.
You don't dress to the nines for the gym; you wear athletic clothes.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt likely comes from 'trentain', a luxury fabric made of 3,000 threads, or from military inspections on the 31st of the month.
Yes, it's very appropriate to describe dressing professionally for an interview.
No, it is used for everyone—men, women, and children.
Yes, it must agree with the subject: mon, ton, son, notre, votre, leur.
It's neutral to slightly informal. You can use it with friends, family, and colleagues.
There isn't a direct numerical opposite, but you could say 'être en jogging' or 'être mal habillé'.
No, the number is fixed at 31.
Only if the meeting is exceptionally formal. Otherwise, it might sound like you're trying too hard.
You can write 'trente-et-un' or '31'. Both are acceptable, but words are better for formal writing.
Rarely, but you could say a car is 'sur son 31' if it's been perfectly cleaned and polished for a show.
Frases relacionadas
être tiré à quatre épingles
synonymTo be impeccably and neatly dressed.
se pomponner
similarTo doll oneself up.
être en grande tenue
specialized formTo be in full dress/uniform.
être sapé comme jamais
slangTo be dressed better than ever.
être en tenue d'Adam/Ève
contrastTo be naked.
